A cultural exploration of Slovenia in general and in terms of business affairs

Paul B.

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A cultural exploration of Slovenia in general and in terms of business affairs

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Abstract

Abstract - This text deals with Slovenia's culture in general and in terms of business affairs. Literature of contemporary culture theorists is critically discussed. Focus is set on Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions and Edward T. Hall‟s theory of high -and low-context cultures. Slovenia has been evaluated or respectively, re-evaluated according to these theories and consequently an original theory of Slovenia's culture has been designed. For this purpose, a small and thus not representative sample of the Slovenian population has been interviewed and these findings have been analyzed on the basis of Hall‟s and Hofstede's work. The outcome of this work differs from Hofstede's results and provides an end result of Slovenia being mainly low-context. Introduction - Many people simply still do not know much about Slovenia. The author herself, being Slovenian, has often enough been confronted with the question of whether Slovenia is another word for Slovakia. This is probably the reason for such statements like the following. "A cautious sort of place: Slovenes talk like Estonians, but act like Austrians" (Lucas, 2007).

Abstract
Introduction
1. Topic and purpose
2. Context
3. Boundaries - Focus of the Study
4. Aims and objectives
5. Constraints
6. Outline of the chapters
Literature review
1. Introduction
2. Hofstede's work
3. Edward T. Hall's work
Methodology
1. Ethics
2. Selection, explanation and justification of the research methods
3. Procedure of the interviews
4. Limitations and advantages of the used methodology
Findings and analysis
1. Power distance
2. Collectivism
3. Uncertainty avoidance
4. Long-term versus short-term orientation
5. Masculinity versus femininity
6. High context versus low context
Conclusion from the data analyzed
1. Hofstede's dimensions
2. Hall's cultural factors
3. Application of relevant theory to the data gathered
4. Conclusions from data related to prior research of others
5. Need for further research
References

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[...] Possibly business people could draw conclusions like the following: Slovenia might be short-term orientated, had we better not promise our Slovenian business partner a future reward for which he or she has had to wait for too Or it could provide for explanations for certain behavior of the Slovenian business partner like the following: was our Slovenian partner angry, what have we done wrong and how can we resolve that now or change that next Certainly, these are only examples but they could be an impulse for how to apply this work in international business Need for Further Research The need for further research is absolute, as this work is not representative of the Slovenian population. [...]

[...] The interviewer aimed to comprehend the subjective reality of the interviewees in order to gather a clear picture of how they see, evaluate and experience their culture (Saunders p. 84) Deductive Approach to the Research The approach used is deductive. The theory of other researchers is used, a theory of the author's own is developed on this basis and both are discussed. Because of the other researchers´ theories, data is sought (Saunders p & 89). The deductive research has been applied, since Hall‟s (1977) theories about high-context and low-context cultures have been employed in Slovenia to obtain an idea of whether it is more high- context or low-context. [...]

[...] The questions were mainly asked in the style of the following: do you think is it in Slovenia They have been exactly informed about the nature of this research and about what kind of interview they can expect. Moreover, they have been told what will happen to the data supplied and how it will be used. Before taking part in the interview, they have been offered the choice of remaining anonymous, but nobody demanded that option. The author herself chose not to employ any details of the interviewees about their names or other personal data of living. [...]

[...] This study aims to analyze Slovenian culture both in general and in terms of business affairs. What cultural considerations should be taken into account in order to negotiate and trade successfully with the Slovenes? This will be explored through telephone interviews in qualitative research. A sample of seven Slovenians was collected in order to explore how they themselves understand their culture, so as to develop an original theory about it. The telephone approach was chosen since the author has not had the possibility in financial terms as well as time terms to travel to Slovenia for this work. [...]

[...] Is it due to Slovenia being or having been an economy in transition or could it be ascribed to the effects of globalization? Is it partially due to both or are there other factors driving this change? Obviously from the above, much more can be explored concerning Slovenia in general, its culture and its businesses. This work has hopefully not only provided an answer to its question but has also given an impetus for further research. References: Ágh, A. (1998) Emerging democracies in East Central Europe and the Balkans. [...]

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